Rhubarb Custard Crumb Pie

I’m a little rhubarb crazy lately, can you tell? I’m not if sure if it’s the leftover excitement from the Rhubarb Festival or if it’s that rhubarb feels like my new best friend. How many times have I passed by rhubarb at the store or farmer’s market and thought, “It’s so pretty, but I have no clue what to do with it”, and kept on walking? Shameful. Never again. From here on out, when rhubarb is in season, I am going to put it into anything and everything I can.

When I told my Grandmother I was going to be a judge at the Rhubarb Festival, she surprised me by saying that Rhubarb Pie was her favorite. How did I not know this? So I knew I better not come home from Lancaster County without some fresh rhubarb in tow to bake my Grandma a pie!

At the festival, I picked up some beautiful local rhubarb and a pamphlet that has all sorts of fun rhubarb facts, as well as previous baking contest winning recipes! I chose to make the Rhubarb Custard Crumb Pie by Belinda Myers. She won many awards in the baking competition this year, so I knew this pie had to be good!

For as wonderful as this pie is, it’s very easy to put together. First, it’s pie crust time. This pie didn’t come with a specific crust recipe, so I used a very simple crust that I have been loving lately. Once the dough is placed into the pie plate and made pretty (my pie beautification skills still need work) it’s on to the custard. In the bowl of an electric mixer, you will combine: sugar, flour, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. It whips on medium high for a few minutes until light and creamy. A little bit of the custard filling goes on the bottom of the pie crust, followed by the diced rhubarb, and the rest of that glorious custard. After baking for about 45 minutes, or until the center is almost set, the pie gets topped with a buttery sweet crumble and put back in the oven to get nice and golden brown.

This Rhubarb Custard Crumb Pie is what rhubarb dreams about while growing in the fields. It is exactly where rhubarb wants to be……nestled between a sweet, creamy custard and a buttery, crunchy crumble. This pie is slightly tart, creamy, and crunchy all in one. After taking one bite of this pie, it was no surprise that this recipe won the 2007 Rhubarb Baking Contest. Enjoy!

For the pie crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in the shortening until it's in pea sized pieces.

Sprinkle on one tablespoon of the water at a time, tossing with a fork. Push moistened dough to the side and continue this until all the flour is moistened and a dough forms. Do not overmix.

Form into a ball and roll out on a slightly floured surface. Turn and flour dough a few times, rolling out until its the size you need. Place dough in 9inch pie plate and flute the edges.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

For the filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine sugar, flour, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Mix on medium high speed for a few minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Pour 2/3 cup of the custard into the prepared pie shell. Place the rhubarb in the pie crust and top with the remaining custard. Bake for 30 minutes. Check on the pie and if the edges are getting too dark tent with foil and bake until the center is almost set. Another 13-15 minutes. While the pie is in the oven make the crumble.

For the crumble: In a medium bowl combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter. Cut with a pastry blender until crumbles form. Mix in the chopped nuts and coconut.

Pull the pie out of the oven and top with the crumble. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the center of the pie is set.

Hi, I'm Emily! Thanks for visiting my blog. I am a lover of all things edible and love being adventurous in the kitchen. I hope you will stay awhile and check out some delicious recipes and tasty places you are sure to love.